Planning Director

Job Description

The Town of Johnstown is actively hiring a new Planning Director to be part of our dynamic and passionate team. Our organizational guiding principles are: Teamwork, Innovation, Integrity, Communication, and Service Excellence.

Strategically located along the Front Range and adjacent to the I-25 corridor, Johnstown is a rapidly growing community of more than 19,000 people. A strong blend of both residential and commercial identifies the Town as it continues to grow and develop into a recognized local and regional leader. The Director oversees the Planning Department and Building Division which consists of three Planning Staff and a Building Permit Technician. The position is open until filled.

This position is responsible for the administration, coordination and management of all land use, zoning, development, and building related projects and permits within the Town while exercising a high degree of trust, integrity and confidence. Responsibilities require consistent attention and commitment to the Town’s mission and philosophy. This position requires an in-depth knowledge of municipal planning practices, a high level of problem-solving ability, and initiative. The Director will use independent discretion and judgment within established organization values, policies and procedures and represent the Town as necessary during interactions with the public, business, and other organizations.

The following statements are illustrative of the essential functions of the job and do not include other nonessential or peripheral duties that may be required. The Town of Johnstown retains the right to modify or change the duties or essential functions of the job at any time.

Manages and directs operations of the department, which includes administration, Planning & Development and project coordination, permitting, on call and customer-facing services. Establishes and administers department operating policies and procedures, goals, and objectives.
Provides direction, schedules and assigns work, reviews accomplishments, and manages departmental resources in accordance with established planning, budgetary, and performance parameters.
Prepares, presents and manages the departmental budget and pursues and administers grant funding where available. Responsible for reviewing and approving departmental expenditures with the approved budget.
Manages, coordinates, and oversees the timely delivery of Planning activities including all land use, site planning and subdivision review and analyses, site inspections, contract and agreement negotiation and administration, manage multiple external vendors that provide development review services to the Town.
Plans, implements and manages new and existing departmental programs and procedures for the delivery of customer service. Customers include the general public, business and property owners, construction contractors and developers, consultants and legal counsel, Town Manager, members of the Town Council, employees and officials of other government agencies and private businesses, and members of homeowner and other community groups/organizations.
May represent or serve as a team member on behalf of the Town in the negotiation of various contractual agreements, coordination of legal reviews, securing necessary approvals, and preparation and presentation of information to the Town Manager and Council and others concerning contractual requirements/awards and obligations.
Evaluates department staffing requirements; and directs/participates in staffing decisions; provides training for employees; monitors and evaluates employee performance; and identifies needs for professional development.
Serves as primary staff for and manage the agenda, minutes, and hearings before the Planning & Zoning Commission (PZC), including appropriate legal and mailed notifications and publications for a variety of project types heard by the PZC and Town Council.
Works with regional partners on planning projects and coordination of numerous referral agencies.
Meets regularly with Town contracted engineering (civil, traffic, water) and building review firms on private development and permitting issues.
Implements local floodplain regulations in compliance with State and Federal requirements, updating flood maps, plans, and policies of the community, and any of activities related to administration of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Represent the Town in various capacities on panels, committees, task forces and other relevant forums as assigned.
Exhibits strong leadership skills. Provides constructive feedback and collaborates on issues and solutions.
Supervises and guides the Planning and Building staff in development of goals, objectives, workload review, and performance evaluations. Plans workloads and staff assignments; trains, motivates and evaluates staff; reviews progress and directs changes as needed.
Interprets ordinances, regulations, codes, standards and criteria as they apply to development project and permitting tasks, including site and landscape design, architectural elevations, technical studies/reports, construction drawings, site plans and subdivision plats.
Track and report on development and permitting activity in Town.
Maintain the Johnstown Area Comprehensive Plan, the Land Use & Development Code, and needed plans and programs to implement.
Coordinate with members of the Police Department on code compliance and enforcement activities.
Administer permitting and project tracking software (TRAKit / Central Square).
Maintains frequent contact with the Town Manager regarding department issues, activities, and programs.
Attends and participates in professional group meetings; staying abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of community development, building, and planning, proposed state legislation and similar.
Performs other duties as required and/or assigned by the Town Manager.

Minimum Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in urban planning, landscape architecture, public administration, civil engineering or a closely related field is desired. Master’s Degree desired and AICP Preferred.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The Town of Johnstown is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or any other status protected by law or regulation. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity and that selection be based on job-related factors.